Title: Herding Dogs I: Building the Foundation
Pre-requisites: This course is for herding breed dogs that were bred for gathering, sorting and moving livestock. Puppies and dogs of any age may participate in this course.(It is not for breeds that were bred for guarding and protecting flocks and herds.)
Purpose/Goal: To teach you the building blocks of raising and 
starting your herding puppy or dog to be your partner in livestock handling, whether on a farm or at herding competitions.
Course Info: The Herding Dogs: Building the Foundation Course will focus on providing you and your dog with the necessary tools for becoming partners both in your life and in your work with livestock. Raising your pup or dog to develop a strong and mutually respectful relationship through understanding the needs of your dog, as well as the basic obedience skills that will become the foundation for all your future training. Basic herding commands will be demonstrated, and you will learn how to prepare your dog for stock work using quiet leadership and positive reinforcement. This course teaches you and your dog basic skills which are important before you actually start your dog on stock, so dogs will not be introduced to livestock during this foundation course.
What you can expect to learn from this Course:
• The importance of genetics in selecting and training a herding dog
• Establishing a working partnership with your dog
• How to effectively communicate with your dog in a positive way
• Basic obedience skills required for a shepherd’s partner
• Understanding the principles of livestock handling
• The foundation herding commands will be learned and taught off stock
• What you will need next to start your dog on sheep or ducks
Course Cost and Length: $200. This course consists of 8 full sessions with Kathy.
Course Dates and Times: (TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS: Choose from the following course offerings. This will send you to our Session Information and registration page. When you get there, click on the "Registration" link at the top or bottom of that page and follow the easy registration procedure.)
Live Session Registration ($200) :
July 9-August 27, 2007 (Mondays, 7:45-8:45PM, CST 
July 23-Oct. 1, 2007 (Mondays, 4-5:00PM, CST
August 2-Sept. 27, 2007 (Thursdays, 3-4:00PM, CST
Aug. 13-Oct. 22, 2007 (Mondays, 2:30-3:30PM, CST)
Sept. 10-Nov. 19 (Mondays, 7:45-8:45PM, CST)
Oct. 8-Dec. 3 (Mondays, 4-5:00PM, CST)
Recorded Session Registration ($85):
Live—You will speak to the instructor in an online “classroom” with several other students. Recorded— Watch the presentation at your own pace, with little to no interaction with the instructor or other students.
Instructor Profile: Kathy Kawalec owns and operates Dancing Hearts, a holistic training and well-being center in Manhattan, Illinois. Kathy’s methods for teaching dogs and handlers, are based upon clear communication, understanding and respect, and are effective and positively reinforcing to dog and handler alike!
Kathy has successfully competed in all venues of herding events including USBCHA, AKC, ASCA and AHBA with her border collies for more than 10 years. Currently trialing in National Level fields trials sanctioned by The United States Border Collie Handlers Association, she has qualified for and competed in the National Finals, limited to the top dogs in the country.
Facilitating clinics and lessons both at her farm in Illinois, and around the Midwest, she has experience with all herding breeds, and her students have won many titles and ribbons competing in all venues.
Kathy’s methods focus on keeping the dog in a calm, focused, eager-to-learn state of mind – which helps the dog learn, and helps the handler to learn too!
Student Information
We do not recommend taking a course if you have access to the internet
ONLY through a dial-up modem. The speed is just too slow and you will
not have a good experience. HOWEVER, you can go to the local library
or public areas with free wireless “areas” such as hotel lobbies
or coffee houses and take your course. You will need to bring your
cell phone. Though the call is toll-free to teleconference, depending
on your wireless cell phone service plan, you may be charged for the
minutes.
Check out the availability to have wireless through Direct TV or Satellite
installed at your home. The costs are getting more reasonable every
day.
For registration, login or other technical problems:
- Self-Service Technical Support
- Email: support@webex.com
- Live technical support
- Phone: Call 1-866-229-3239 (U.S. and Canada toll-free), +1-408-435-7088 (International toll), or an International toll-free phone number, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (For current customers only.)
Necessary Downloads Prior to taking a course:
- You will need to allow ActiveX to be installed on your computer (you will be prompted before logging in to a class if you need it).
- You will also need a media player for audio and video. Download the free Microsoft Media Player or Quicktime Player .
- MAC Users: Click here to get to Webex. On the page that comes up, in the left panel, choose "Training Manager" under "Set Up." Then, click on "verify your rich media players." Check that you have the latest uploads of Flash and Windows Media Player to be able to view and hear videos for this course.
You must also read and agree to the E-Training for Dogs, Inc. Standard Terms and Conditions prior to taking a course: Click here to read these. You will be asked when you register if you have read them and will not be allowed to take the course if you do not agree to the terms.
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